Nathan Barley - Thoughts in retrospect?

When Nathan Barley came out, it slipped totally under my radar - as I was no massive Chris Morris fan at the time, and hadn't heard of Brooker at all. Later on, I just randomly gave it a shot since Richard Ayoade and Julian Barratt were in it. And liked it at the first viewing, and was truly able to appreciate it much more in the second and third viewings. But looking back at some of the opinions (in forums mostly), it seems like most people hated it back then - but it seems to be much more appreciated now.

For me, although the Shoreditch quasi-hipster(?) culture it seems to target is very specific, a lot of parts very well fell in place, being familiar with many "idiots" like that. You know, the "holy shit, how true is this?" feel. And a lot of lines and the feel in general, I found pretty funny keeping aside all that. And I was surprised to hear that at the time it was considered pretty dated by many - has this become more relevant now?

I would love to hear some thoughts of people who like the show and why Nathan Barley is much more appreciated now than when it got released.

When I sat down to watch the first episode when it was on, the only people I had heard of or seen before were Chris Morris and Oliver Chris. Never saw the Boosh, Ayoade or Nicholas Burns before. I watched up until the ad break and gave up when I realised I wasn't laughing. I think I just wasn't very aware of the world that it was lampooning, so nothing really clicked with me.

A couple of years later, after becoming more familiar with the actors (and Charlie Brooker), I gave it another go. This time I loved it. I did lend my DVD to a friend and they weren't overly impressed, so I guess it's still something that divides people.

There's a Nathan Barley thread which you might want to look at/revive.

This is what I said in it, which is still my opinion. I would also add that Nicholas Burns is totally miscast as Barley.

Quote: Godot Taxis @ January 8 2010, 4:46 AM GMT

At least three things stopped Nathan Barley being a big hit. The first was the title, which as Brooker fans will know should have been 'C**t'. Even I can understand why they didn't use that - although I'm not happy about it, obviously.

The second problem with the show is that Morris directed it and he's not a very good director.

The third reason is it had awful grading - presumably some sort of reflexive joke but it was still unpleasant and alienating.

The problem with Morris's show is that he's almost Nathan Barley himself. Everyone in TV who isn't making the weather or the Antiques roadshow is. You can't take the rise out of Barley in a 'cool' or 'alternative' TV programme. Extra content on the Red Button after the show's finished? That's exactly what Barley would have done!

Ah come on, the name is hardly a fair criticism though, is it?As for grading, I personally prefer it to be honest - although I can't say if it's just me liking the show and accepting it as it is. But I can see why some would hate it though. As for Chris Morris, why is he an Idiot himself? Even if I grant your premise somewhat and say that he has to bend the rules a bit - doesn't make them an Idiot. Dan Ashcroft had to toss off a builder and attempt to write about 15Peter20 as well right? Even Claire had to compromise, albeit reluctantly. Doesn't make them Idiots though.

And I disagree regarding everyone else except weathermen etc. being idiots, could you elaborate?

Re the me thing. If you want to kill a project stone dead have its title somebody's full name (ie both Christian and surname). Jack Reacher, John Carter etc. I'm struggling to think of a succesful film or TV show with a full name for a title.